The STA Clinician Podcast

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Episodes

The STA Clinician Podcast - 'Connecting Clinicians Across Healthcare' - is recorded LIVE every Tuesday at 8pm (UK) on the Sports Therapy Association YouTube channel and Facebook Page, and then uploaded as a podcast to all popular platforms. After 5 years of broadcasting weekly as the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, the name of the podcast has been updated to reflect how our content is of value & interest to all health care professionals, with a major goal being to promote conversations that embrace & nurture multidisciplinary care. Hosted by Matt Phillips (creator of Runchatlive.com), we welcome all health care professionals to join us for the live recording, a chance to network with fellow therapists and discuss topics that together help us all move forward as an industry.

The Sports Therapy Association (STA) is a professional representation for Sports Therapists, Sports Injury Therapists and Soft Tissue Therapists. We have worked passionately to develop a truly independent and ethical association that is committed to raising standards across the industry and progressing opportunities for our valued members.

Episodes

Friday Dec 05, 2025

Ep.265 'Reflections On Therapy Expo 2025' with Matt Phillips & special guest Mike James

Friday Dec 05, 2025

In Ep.265 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, special guest Mike James, aka 'The Endurance Physio' joins host Matt Phillips to reflect on the recent Therapy Expo 2025, held at the NEC Birmingham. Listen as they discuss this year's highs, lows, everything in between, and what the future could / should hold for Therapy Expo.

As speakers, theatre hosts, and members of the Therapy Expo Advisory Board, Mike James and Matt Phillips have both seen Therapy Expo evolve from a roomful of attendees in Manchester back in 2013, to becoming the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary event, with over 2,000 delegates, 100 specialist speakers, 150 certified CPD sessions, and 150+ exhibitors.

Key takeaways include calls for longer, more practical and interdisciplinary sessions, as well as greater audience interaction. Matt & Mike celebrate the growing collaboration between organisations and speakers and highlight new content plans for 2026, including its new name: "The Therapy Show'. Early bird tickets for next year are just £49 in December!

Also mentioned is Mike's new podcast "The Everyday Athlete Podcast" with co-host Rosi Sexton, Osteopath & first British Woman to ever fight in the UFC.

Useful Links

Want to join the live recordings?
Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the 'Sports Therapy Association Podcast' on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in joining the STA?
Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.

Monday Nov 24, 2025

Ep.264 'Collaboration Over Competition: The Unbound Project 9 Months On'

Monday Nov 24, 2025

In Episode 264 of the Sports Therapy Association podcast, ‘Collaboration Over Competition: The Unbound Project - Nine Months On', host Matt Phillips is joined by Andy Hosgood and Andy Thomas, co-founders (with Andrew McCauley) of ‘The Unbound Project’ - a community for healthcare practitioners and business owners to collaborate rather than compete, to get together and share problems and solutions.

Having been guests on the podcast nine months ago in Ep.225 ‘Collaboration Over Competition’, Andy & Andy discuss how the Unbound Project has evolved since its launch, and what they have learnt in the process. Topics include the 'Curiosity Scorecard' which as a clinician you can fill out to discover how your mindset is shaping your healthcare career, how to get involved in free monthly taster sessions (Monday December 8th 7pm) and connect with a growing non‑judgmental community aimed at helping clinicians take action and support one another, and how reflection & collaboration help reduce burnout and improve career satisfaction.

Chapter Markers

00:00:22 - Welcome To The Sports Therapy Association Podcast
00:03:05 - Introducing Andy Hosgood and Andy Thomas
00:06:01 - Insights from the recent 'STA & Hands On Hub Conference' in Exmouth
00:07:47 - Overview of the Unbound Project
00:12:19 - Data from the Curiosity Score App
00:16:10 - The Importance of Reflection
00:20:50 - Building a Safe Community
00:24:09 - Upcoming Taster Sessions
00:29:35 - Creating a Non-Judgmental Space
00:34:37 - The Ripple Effect of Change
00:39:06 - Connecting Reflection to Business Success
00:43:52 - Understanding the Score App Results
00:48:03 - Benefits of Professional Associations
00:53:15 - Engaging with the Unbound Community
00:55:39 - Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Useful Links

Host Matt Phillips - Speaker at Therapy Expo
If you are a clinician who is interested in improving your communication skills, be sure to attend Matt Phillips' presentation at this year's Therapy Expo: '𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (and anyone else for that matter!)'. Theatre B, 3.50pm on Day 1 (right before the wonderful Michelle Lyons!).

Saturday Nov 15, 2025

Ep.263: 'Rehab Guru: The All-In-One Platform for Clinic Management & Exercise Prescription'

Saturday Nov 15, 2025

In Episode 263 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, host Matt Phillips is joined by Rehab Guru founders David Barrow and Simon Taylor. Designed for modern health professionals, Rehab Guru is an online platform that streamlines every aspect of your clinic, from bookings, treatment notes, invoicing to digital forms, alerts, and world-class exercise prescription.

David & Simon reveal new features & integrations (bookings, invoicing, treatment notes, Scan.com) and expanded customer support. Also discussed are new AI tools for transcribing notes, auto-generating and progressing exercise programs, secure UK data handling, and how the platform aims to reduce clinician burnout, improve patient follow-up, and simplify practice workflows.

Rehab Guru has a new partnership with the Better Clinician Project (Ben Cormack & Adam Meakins), meaning that Rehab Guru Exercise Prescription software licences now come with free membership of the Better Clinician Project, and vice-versa.

Like the STA, Rehab Guru will be at Therapy Expo this coming 26th & 27th of November at the NEC Birmingham, so if you are coming this year be sure to visit the STA stand at TE7, and Rehab Guru at stand TB31.

Chapter Markers

00:00:00 - Welcome to the Sports Therapy Association Podcast
00:02:55 - David Barrow & Simon Taylor of Rehab Guru
00:07:53 - Understanding Rehab Guru1
00:12:02 - Enhancements and New Features
00:15:07 - Avoiding Burnout in Healthcare
00:15:33 - Pricing Strategies and Community Impact
00:18:31 - Partnering for Better Care
00:20:28 - Addressing Clinical Isolation
00:27:21 - Customer Support and Success
00:29:39 - AI Innovations in Healthcare
00:33:29 - Embracing AI in Practice
00:37:02 - Launching a New Clinic
00:44:00 - Creating a Patient-Centric Experience
00:47:48 - Exploring Scan.com Integration
00:50:07 - The Role of AI in Therapy
00:54:27 - Data Protection and AI Usage
00:58:51 - Therapy Expo Highlights and Offers
01:01:22 - Closing Remarks and Next Episode

Useful Links

Thursday Nov 06, 2025

Ep.262: ''MSK Conferences: How Much Do They Affect Your Clinical Practice?"

Thursday Nov 06, 2025

In Episode 262 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, host Matt Phillips is joined by guests Aimi Healey-Bracher, Sports Rehab Therapist at Praia Sports Rehab and Lead Therapist at Cardiff City FC Women, and Tristen Attenborough, educator & founder of Move Massage Pro, to discuss: ‘MSK Conferences: How Much Do They Affect Your Clinical Practice?'.

Aimi and Tristan share honest experiences from the recent 'STA & Hands-On Hub Conference' in Exmouth, and also Therapy Expo, the UK’s largest annual multi-disciplinary event, which is returning to the NEC Birmingham this year on the 26th & 27th of November. They talk about what inspires them, what they implement into every day practice, and how connection, clarity and evidence-informed talks influence their work.

They episode considers both the benefits of MSK conferences, such as networking, renewed confidence, exposure to new populations and topics, and the potential drawbacks, including cost, size, and sales-driven stands, and how conferences may best be used as a jumping-off point rather than a step-by-step solution.

Useful Links

Wednesday Oct 29, 2025

Ep.261: ''Therapy Expo 2025 In Less Than A Month!" with Molly Benson & Charlotte Speer

Wednesday Oct 29, 2025

In this episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests Molly Benson, Therapy Expo Content Producer, and Charlotte Speer, Therapy Expo Show Manager. For those of you unaware, Therapy Expo 2025 is the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary event for professionals dedicated to preventing, treating, and rehabilitating musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, and the 2025 conference is happening in less than a month, on the 26th & 27th of November at the NEC Birmingham.

Molly Benson and Charlotte Spear discuss what’s new for this year’s event - new theatres (Business Advice and Practical Skills), expanded CPD and exhibitor line-up, fresh speakers, and the value of in-person learning. The episode also covers discount codes and the October 31st deadline for getting maximum discount, and the new one-day ticket option that can be purchased by calling the delegate phone line on 0203 978 1665 or visiting the Therapy Expo website. Full details of the speakers and exhibitors can also be found on the website.

Matt Phillips - Speaker
If you are a clinician who is interested in improving your communication skills, be sure to attend Matt Phillips' presentation at this year's Therapy Expo: '𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (and anyone else for that matter!)'. Theatre B, 3.50pm on Day 1 (right before the wonderful Michelle Lyons!).

Useful Links

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025

Ep.260: '5 Things To Look For In An MSK Conference' with special guest Emily Gilbert

Wednesday Oct 22, 2025

Happy Birthday to us! We’ve reached 5 years of weekly podcasts! 260 episodes, 260 weeks since we decided to record a show back in 2020 to help answer some of the questions that therapists had when they were finally allowed to go back to work after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.

Since then, we have grown into around 2000 downloads a month, thanks to our amazing guests who give up their time to share their experience & wise words to help, as our tagline says, put some evidence back into Soft Tissue Therapy. We don’t shout, we don’t make you feel stupid, our goal is to simply provide a safe, authentic space for you, the listener, to pause, reflect, connect and grow.

On that note, thank you everyone who joins us for the live recordings, watches on YouTube or Facebook, or listens to the podcast, especially if you have left a rating or review. We couldn’t & wouldn’t do this without you!

In this 5 Year Anniversary episode, host Matt Phillips is joined by Emily Gilbert of frameworksportsmassage.com, who 8 years ago made a huge career change by moving from Biomedical Science to massage therapy, and in her own words has never looked back. As an evidence-based mobile sports massage therapist, Emily has been sharing some great information on Instagram, including some reflections on her experience at the recent
'STA & Hands ON Hub Conference' in Exmouth, in association with the ST School, and in this episode Emily gives her tips on the ‘Five Things To Look Out For In An MSK Conference."

Chapter Markers:

00:00:00 - Happy 5 Year Birthday To The STA Podcast!
00:02:21- Meet Emily Gilbert of frameworksportsmassage
00:04:59 - Reflections on the STA & Hands On Hub Conference
00:18:52 - Five Things To Look Out For In An MSK Conference
00:22:29 - Creating Welcoming Spaces
00:23:03 - Diversity in Therapists
00:25:10 - Approachability of Speakers
00:29:17 - Space for Discussion
00:31:02 - Understanding Conference Value
00:36:59 - Mindset for Networking
00:41:00 - Upcoming Events and Opportunities
00:48:12 - Mentoring for Massage Therapists

Questionnaire
What do YOU want from a CPD Conference? We need (and would truly) appreciate YOUR input, by kindly answering the questions on this questionnaire. There is also a link and QR code on the homepage of the STA website and ST School Website.

Useful Links

Next Podcast Episode:

8pm Tuesday October 28th: Ep261: 'Therapy Expo 2025 In Less Than A Month" with special guests Molly Benson - Content Producer, Charlotte Speer - Show Manager, Vernon Smeed - Business Development Manager.

Wednesday Oct 15, 2025

Ep.259 'Three Ways Clinicians Can Avoid Physical & Mental Burnout' with special guest Jenny Burrell

Wednesday Oct 15, 2025

In Episode 259 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast - '3 Ways for Clinicians To Avoid Physical & Mental Burnout' - host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Jenny Burrell, Founder, CEO, Lead Tutor and Course Curator of Burrell Education.

With over 17 years in the business, Burrell Education is hugely respected in the industry, with courses designed to educate & support Women’s Health, Movement, Fitness, Physiotherapy, Soft Tissue Therapy and Coaching professionals. In this episode, Jenny Burrell talks about her latest course 'BRIEF COACHING', designed to provide the all-important skills to help health professionals avoid physical & mental burnout, skills that are all too often missing from traditional industry qualifications.

Jenny explains how shifting from a ‘fixer’ mindset to a partnership with clients, asking better questions, and setting clear contracts can protect both practitioners and patients. Also discussed is spotting red flags and referrals, pricing and workload adjustments, and why listening more can improve outcomes and career longevity.

Useful Links

Burrell Education Website
Brief Coaching Course (Save £100 if booked before 31/10/25)
Burrell Education on Facebook
Burrell Education on Instagram

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

Ep.258 'New Perspectives On Fascia' with Dr Claire Melanie Boucher and Dr Kyra De Coninck

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

In Episode 258 of the Sports Therapy Association podcast, entitled 'New Perspectives On Fascia', host Matt Phillips is joined by special guests from the University of Kent - Dr Claire Melanie Boucher, Lecturer in Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, and Dr Kyra De Coninck, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences.

The episode looks at the differences between superficial and deep fascia, the limits of current imaging, and why effects of touch often involve fluid, neural and psychosocial factors as well as connective tissue.

Key takeaways for clinicians from this episode include:

use a patient-centred, individualized approach
recognise touch and gentle techniques can create a ‘window’ to enable movement and rehabilitation
be patient—structural fascia changes are slow
combine fascial work with movement, strength and broader care strategies.

If you are interested in remaining up-to-date on the topic of fascia, pay a visit to The Fascia Research Society website, where there is a wealth of information, including a new webinar series.

Chapter Markers

00:00:18 - Introduction to New Perspectives on Fascia
00:03:04 - The Importance of Feedback for Conferences
00:04:34 - Meet the Researchers: Dr Claire Boucher and Kyra De Coninck
00:07:31 - Claire’s Journey into Fascia
00:07:41 - Kyra’s Exploration of Chronic Pain
00:13:13 - The Role of Nervous System in Fascia
00:18:46 - The Connection Between Systems
00:36:29 - Understanding Touch and Fascia
00:45:00 - The Interplay of Fascia and Pain
00:54:59 - Patient-Centered Approaches in Therapy
00:59:30 - Embracing Individualized Treatment
01:06:27 - Conclusion and Future Directions in Fascia Research

About The Guests
In 2023, Dr Claire Melanie Boucher completed her PhD at The University of Kent, titled “Can ultrasound imaging be used to detect adaptations in the thoracolumbar fascia of people with lower back pain?” She currently continues her research to investigate fascia.

Dr Kyra De Coninck's PhD thesis investigates how ultrasound imaging can be used to measure the differences in thoracolumbar fascia, in the lower back, in a range of populations with lower back pain. She has presented her research at conferences and scientific meetings in UK, Canada, Italy and Romania, and presented on the subject of fascia & tissue repair at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, the European School of Osteopathy and the Third International Fascia Research Congress in Vancouver.

Useful Links

The Fascia Research Society

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Ep.257: 'Reflecting On The STA & Hands On Hub Conference' with Anna Maria, Gary, Andy & Matt

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

In this episode, we reflect on the ‘STA & Hands On Hub Conference’ that took place nearly two weeks ago on 20th & 21st September in Exmouth, in collaboration with the ST School. Host Matt Phillips is joined by Gary Benson, Founder of The Sports Therapy Association, Anna Maria Mazzieri, Director of The ST School, and Andy Hosgood, coach, mentor, and Unlocker of Human Potential.

Together, they discuss what factors are important for a successful educational conference for soft tissue therapists, in what ways the ‘STA & Hands On Hub Conference’ succeeded, and how it could potentially be improved in future events. There is also an in depth discussion on what you SHOULD be getting when you pay for CPD, and useful advice on how to plan ahead & save funds for events you do not want to miss.

Next Podcast Episode:

8pm Tuesday October 7th: Ep258: 'New Perspectives On Fascia' with guests Dr Claire Boucher & Dr Kyra De Coninck

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025

Ep256: 'How To Read A Research Paper' with special guest Ben Cormack

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025

The tagline of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, heard at the beginning of every episode, is "Putting The Evidence Back Into Soft Tissue Therapy". One way of becoming more evidence informed is to keep up with the latest research, but how easy is it to understand a research paper, to be able to judge its quality, reliability, and significance in what we practice in clinic?

In this episode, host Matt Phillips, freshly back from the recent 'Hands On Hub & STA Conference' in Exmouth, is joined by special guest Ben Cormack, founder of Cor-Kinetic, and co-founder of the Better Clinician Project. Ben explains how clinicians can approach and interpret research papers, breaking them down into study types (RCTs, observational, systematic reviews), key method checkpoints (sample size calculations, blinding, recruitment), and how to read results (p‑values, effect sizes, between‑group vs within‑group changes). It's a super valuable listen to any soft tissue therapist who finds the idea of reading a research paper slightly daunting, and also help the already confident therapist go a little deeper into potential red flags that suggest how the study could have been done better.

The episode also gives information on Cor-Kinetic courses, including the online 'Mentorship Program' that starts on September 29th, and 'The Better Clinician Project'.

Ben Cormack is a musculoskeletal therapist with a clinical background/qualification in sports therapy, rehabilitation & exercise, stretching back over 20 years, with a special interest in pain and its relation to movement. His Cor-Kinetic courses have run in over 25 countries globally, working with individual health care professionals, clinics, health services & hospitals, elite sports teams & pain services/organisations.

Chapter Markers

00:00:18 - Welcome to Episode 256 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast
00:01:28 - Reflecting on the Hands On Hub & STA Conference
00:02:28 - Supporting Evidence-Based Practice
00:03:38 - Introducing Ben Cormack
00:04:31 - How to approach Read a Research Paper
00:05:48 - Challenges of Understanding Research
00:09:10 - Identifying Quality Research Papers
00:09:54 - The Importance of Evidence in Therapy
00:11:21 - Diving into Research Methodology
00:21:37 - Understanding Research Results
00:44:10 - Discussing Research Limitations
00:53:50 - Announcing Cor-kinetic Mentorship Programs
00:57:50 - Closing Remarks and Future Events

Useful Links

Next Podcast Episode:

8pm Tuesday September 30th: 'Reflection On The Hands On Hub & STA Conference' with Anna Maria Mazzieri, Andy Hosgood and Gary Benson.